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Paris vacations are the ultimate travel fantasy for many tourists. The City of Light has been romanticized in movies and books, highlighting the restaurants, landmarks, museums, shopping, and atmosphere of one of Europe’s most famous cities. Lucky for travelers, Paris holidays are becoming increasingly affordable as reasonable airline tickets can be found, and more people are embracing travel to Paris via trains. Whether you’re traveling in London, Brussels, Antwerp, or Cologne, it is possible to easily reach Paris with their efficient train system. While Paris is known to be an expensive city, the wise traveler can take certain precautions to make sure trips to Paris don’t break the bank.

Vacations to Paris

Accommodation in Paris is known for being pricey, so travelers have a few important decisions to make regarding lodging. One money-saving option is renting an apartment. This allows visitors to cook some of their own meals, and apartments are usually rented for a flat rate no matter how many people are staying there. Hotels on the other hand, sometimes charge per person, and not per room, for each night. Paris has a great underground subway system, and some travelers find that booking a hotel outside of the center of the city and purchasing a transport pass helps them to see the city and stay within their vacation budget. The downside to this tactic is that Paris vacations wind up being spent underground on the subway, and there is something to be said for waking up in the middle of the action.

If you want to travel to Paris affordably, consider the shoulder season or even the off-season. While Christmas and New Year's are busy, the months of January and February are quiet. With a warm jacket, you’ll be able to explore Paris without the crowds, and you'll most likely secure an affordable room rate as well. The weather might just encourage you to indulge a bit on your Paris holidays and spend an afternoon or two lingering over a long lunch or ducking into a café for a hot chocolate. Some travelers intend on spending a great deal of time in the famous museums of Paris, and then the weather shouldn’t affect the time of year you travel.

While Paris vacations can be planned on a budget, this is also a city to splurge in. An ideal destination for honeymoons, Paris has endless opportunities for indulgence. From Michelin-starred restaurants to five-star hotels, and hot-air balloon rides to gourmet dinner cruises, it is easy to see how Paris earned its reputation as the city of romance. Spa treatments are designed for couples, the tables in most brasseries are set for two, and there are many parks and avenues perfect for an intimate stroll admiring the architecture. The shopping in Paris can’t be beat, and entire Paris holidays could be spent in the clothing shops and jewelry stores.

Travel to Paris can be adventurous as well, and a number of tours are now centered on biking and walking. For the traveler who is looking to burn off some calories, a bike tour is a great way to see a wide variety of the city in a short period of time. While planning your trip, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic French words, and beneficially, words you will encounter on French menus. Some restaurants will have translated menus for you, but a more authentic experience is likely to be found at restaurants that don’t. Waiters are more likely to help if they are addressed in French, and many have good working English. Even if you don’t speak any French, don’t let his fact deter you from visiting one of the most romantic cities on Earth. Strolling across the bridges of the Seine, finding a cozy table in a brasserie, and seeing the Mona Lisa for the first time will all make your Paris dreams come true.